National guidance for ovarian cancer will prevent women from missing out on
the latest drug treatment, health minister John Denham has announced.
Last month Denham welcomed publication of guidance from the National
Institute for Clinical Excellence. It recommends taxol (Paclitaxel) as the
standard initial treatment for ovarian cancer following surgery, and in cases
of resistant ovarian cancer where patients have not had the drug.
"It is unacceptable for patients not to have access to drugs just
because they happen to live in a certain area," said Denham.
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The institute was set up by the Government to reduce the geographical
variations in treatment. The Commission for Health Improvement takes into
account application of guidance from the institute in its reviews of local NHS
services.
